Center iron



Sept. 10, 1929. J. E. MCGRAW, 5a., ET AL 1,727,890

CENTER IRON Filed July 12, 1926 ZBuew/S a /0 /3 3 $117105 gram/ 7;

- Charle W226 am,

' Thu/710A? {1106mm Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITE' s'ra'ras unset earsnrrricn.

JAMES E. MCGRAW, SR, CHARLES R. MUGBAW', Ann THOMAS J. cenAw, or inane,

CALIFORNIA.

CENTER IRON.

Application filed July 12, 1926. Serial No. 121,831.

This invention relates to improvements in center irons, and in particular relates to a center iron which is so constructed and arranged that liability of fire when the center iron is utilized in combination with a walking beam and Samson post, is reduced to a minimum. Other objects, include the provision of a means which may be utilized in combination with standard forms of center irons to provide a more eiiicient center iron.

At the present time in center irons it is customary to babbitt the bearings and likewise oil the babbitt surface where the gudgeons contact therewith. However, the oil soon runs from the surface of the babbitt so that the rocking motion of the bearings thereon rapidly wears the babbitt away. To re-babbitt a bearing requires lifting the walking beam from the bearings, as well as the work of several men to re-babbitt the bearings at the time expense of several hours. With the present invention a babbitt surface is not used and the surface upon which the gudgeons operate is constantly maintained lubricated.

The invention has for further objects the provision of a novel center iron which is easily installed, efficient in operation, and generally superior. l Vith the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, as sociation and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as shown in certain embodiments in the accompanying drawing, described generally and more particularly pointed out in claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a walking beam and Samson post with the improved center iron therebetween.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the center iron;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2, and on an enlarged scale from the showing of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a certain member used in practicing the invention; and,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the member shown in Fig. 4.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by the same reference characters.

Referring with particularity to the drawing, the improved center iron is designated as an entirety and in one embodiment'by A, and said center iron is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a walking beam at and a Samson post 6, whereby the said walking beam may be oscillated relative to the Samson post. The said center iron A includes as elements a saddle c and side irons (Z and (Z formed with bearings 1, within which bearings gudgeons 2 mounted on oppo So far, the parts enumerated are standard in practice and as has been previously pointed out it is customary to babbitt the bearings, the gud eons contacting with such babbitt surfaces. Our invention contemplates the use of the member 6 in conjunction with the bearings and the gudgeons. The member 6 is one formof bearing, in that it is provided with a curved portion 8, and two flanges or Wines 4 and "5 .diametricall s aced aaart t y 7 which flanges or wings are slotted at 6 and 7. In other words, the flanges or wings are formed 'with' furcated .ends. The curved working surface or bearing surface 8 upon which a gudgeon is adapted to operate may be scored or grooved, as shown at 9 the func- In utilizing the device a the caps 12 and 13 are unbolted from their respective bearings 1, and a member 6 is placed within both said bearingsl, the well or trough portion 10 facing outwardly from said bearings as indicated in Figure 2. It is of course understood that the saddle c has been lifted so that the gudgeons 2 are out of contact with the bearings to permit the insertion of the members sitesides ofthe saddle care adaptedto rest.

e. The curved portion 3 of said members a will then rest upon the bearing surfaces of the bearings after which the gudgeons on the saddle may then engage the bearing surface of said members 6, the caps replaced and the bolts 14 again inserted through the said bearings 1, the slots 6 and 7, and openings 15 in the said caps for locking the bearings 1, member 6 and'the cap in cooperative relation. The well or trough 10 may then be filled with waste which is saturated with lubricating fluid will be directed into the oil grooves 9'and 9 to thoroughly lubricate the contacting surfaces between the said members e and the said gudgeons. It is evident that the center iron may operate over a greater period of time with the present arrangement than an arrangement without said members 6, as there'would be a constant flow of lubricant between the members 0 and each gudgeon, all to the end that less attention must be given to this one portion of the oil well apparatus. Where babbitt is used without any provision for a trough or well for supplying oil to such babbitt surface constant attention is required to keep the surfaces lubricated in the center iron. It is perhaps unnecessary to state that the said irons Z and (Z arebolted on opposite sides of the Samson post 6. f It is of course to be realized that while the device 6 is adaptable for pres ent forms of center irons, that within the scope of our invention'we might provide both trunnions 1 witha lubricant trough or well.

' It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in practicing the invention, inv departure from the particular showing of the drawing, without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

' Having thus disclosed our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

tion of a center iron of a well rig, comprising a semi-circular bearing portion formed with oil grooves, a pair of slotted wings on opposite sides of said semi-circular bearing portion, and a trough at one end of said semicircular bearing portion and in communication with the oil grooves. I p

3. As anew article of manufacture, a device adapted to oooperatewith a bearing portion of a center iron of a well rig, compris- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a deing a semi-circular bearing portion having a variable wall thickness formed with 011 grooves, a pair of wings extending from the semi-circular bearing port-ion, and a trough at one end of said semi-circular bearing portion and in communication with the oil grooves.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification. JAMES E. MOGRAW, Sn.

CHAS. R. IVIGGRAVV. THOMAS J. MOGRAW. 

